The 1981 Wimbledon Championships featured John McEnroe winning his first men's singles title, defeating Björn Borg in a five-set final that marked a changing of the guard in men's tennis. Chris Evert Lloyd won her third Wimbledon women's singles title, defeating Hana Mandlíková in the final. The tournament was also notable for McEnroe's infamous 'Chalk dust' outburst during the first round.
During his first-round match against Tom Gullikson, John McEnroe erupted at umpire Edward James, famously shouting 'You cannot be serious!' and calling him 'the pits of the world' after a line call. This outburst became one of the most iconic moments in Wimbledon history and resulted in a $1,500 fine.
Chris Evert Lloyd advanced to the Wimbledon women's singles final by defeating Tracy Austin in a hard-fought semifinal match, setting up a championship clash with Hana Mandlíková.
Defending champion Björn Borg and challenger John McEnroe both won their quarterfinal matches in straight sets, moving one step closer to their highly anticipated rematch of the previous year's final. Borg defeated Jimmy Connors, while McEnroe beat Eliot Teltscher.
Chris Evert Lloyd won her third Wimbledon women's singles title by defeating Hana Mandlíková of Czechoslovakia in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, in a dominant performance in the final.
John McEnroe completed a successful Wimbledon by also winning the men's doubles title with partner Peter Fleming, defeating Bob Hewitt and Frew McMillan in four sets. This was McEnroe and Fleming's third Wimbledon doubles title together.
The 1981 men's singles final proved to be Björn Borg's final match at Wimbledon. The loss to McEnroe, combined with growing burnout and disputes with tennis authorities, contributed to Borg's eventual retirement from the sport in 1983.
John McEnroe defeated Björn Borg in five sets, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4, to win his first Wimbledon men's singles title, ending Borg's five-year reign as champion. This victory marked a significant shift in men's tennis, as McEnroe dethroned the king of Centre Court.
The mixed doubles title was won by the American pair of Billie Jean King and John McEnroe, who defeated Fred Stolle and Lesley Turner Bowrey in the final, giving McEnroe his third title of the tournament.